THE FEMALE EXTERNAL GENITAL ORGANS. 11ST 
The round ligament of the uterus ends in the fatty tissue of the labium majus. The 
superficial subcutaneous tissue resembles that of the scrotum, but contains no muscular 
fibres. The nerve supply corresponds with that of the scrotum, the anterior part of each 
labium being supplied by the branches of the ilio-inguinal nerve, and the posterior part 
by branches from the internal pudic, and by the perineal branch of the small sciatic 
nerve. The blood-vessels of the labia majora are derived from the superficial pudic 
arteries and from the perineal branches of the internal pudic vessels. 
Labia Minora.— The labia minora, or nymph (labia minora pudendi), 
are a pair of much smaller and narrower longitudinal folds, usually completely 
enclosed within 
the cleft between. 
the labia majora. 
Diminishing in 
size, and becom- 
ing less marked 
in their posterior 
parts, the labia 
minora end by 
gradually joining 
the inner surfaces P™nutimn._ 
of the labia 
majora. In the Vestibulum 
Glans clitoridis 
Frenulum clitoridis 
: 3 She vaginee Labium majus 
young subject, a 
si } E] - asia | Labium minus 
sug 1b iy raisec Orificium urethree 
transverse fold is PATIL 
usually seen con- Grinenmnin = 
necting the pos- vaginie 
terior ends of the Fossa_ 
navicularis 
labia minora; to 
this fold the term 
frenulum (frenu- 
lum labiorum 
pudendi), or four- 
chette, is apphed. 
Traced forwards, 
each labium 
minus divides 
into two portions, 
an outer and an 
inner. The outer 
portions of the 
two labia unite 
over the elans Fic. 778.—FEMALE EXTERNAL GENITAL ORGANS. 
clitoridis, and The hymen has been ruptured, but the fourchette is seen stretching across behind 
form a fold or the fossa navicularis and in front of the posterior commissure. The ducts of 
: “ene Bartholin’s glands open in the intervals between the vaginal orifice and the 
covering for it, eee gs ie : 
labia minora. 
called the pre- 
putium clitoridis. The inner portions, uniting at an acute angle, join the glans 
and form the frenulum clitoridis. The skin of the labia minora resembles the 
integument on the inner or deep surface of the labia majora, being smooth, moist 
and pink in colour. The inner surfaces of the labia minora are in contact with 
one another; their outer surfaces are applied against the inner aspects of the labia 
majora. 
' The openings of the urethra and vagina are placed in the middle line, in the 
interval between the labia minora, which must be separated to bring them into 
view. 
The vestibule (vestibulum vaginve) is the name applied to the cleft that lies 
between the labia minora and behind the glans clitoridis. In its floor are the 
openings of the urethra, the vagina and the minute ducts of Bartholin’s glands. 
"9 
4 
© Commissura 
posterior 
Anus 
